Accessibility Links

Prince posts royal seals of disapproval

Giles Smith

May 16 2015, 1:01am, The Times

Pietersen tweeted a photograph of himself on the steps of a private jet bound for Dubai

Undue exercise of influence? Or the entirely justifiable outpourings of a dedicated and impassioned epistolary campaigner? Opinion seemed to veer more towards the latter, after the controversial publication this week of Prince Charles’s so-called “Black Spider” letters to government ministers. But form your own opinion as we reproduce these further extracts, thus far unpublished, from the Prince’s sports-related correspondence.

To The Chief Executive, all England Tennis Club July 4, 2007

Dear Mr Ritchie,

Thank you again for the opportunity yesterday to review the plans for the long-awaited roof over Centre Court. I can only repeat here what I said to you when we met and stress my hope that a thorough revision of the proposed structure will be high on your list of priorities. My…